Joshua CHOU (Research Fellowship)

University of Technology, Sydney, Australia
Exchange to Musashino University, Japan

I’ve always wanted to do something that would help and benefit other people. I did a Bachelor of Nanotechnology followed by an Honors degree in which I wanted to be involved in the future of developing cutting edge medical technology. My PhD supervisor was able to help me realize this dream by firstly accepting me as his student and mentoring me to become the person I am today.

My thesis was in the area of developing new biomaterials for bone implantation based on biomimetic technology. We harvested fossilized coral exoskeleton which we were able to convert to the same composition as the human bone. As we are in an aging era, more and more people are going to have bone related problems and diseases so I know this research was vital and crucial. Furthermore, my motivation came from my own mother who herself suffers from bone related disabilities so I am very well aware the impact this can have on an individual and on the immediate family.

Towards the end of my PhD I was determined to take this technology and material further and during a conference I met Professor Otsuka from Tokyo, Japan. After my talk he approached me and told me he was interested in helping me develop the technology further. At that time we lacked the resources and the know-how to perform animal studies which was the next step to take. I was researching on the internet to see what was available and came across the Endeavour Australia Cheung Kong Research Fellowships. It sounded too good to be true and I knew deep down that this would have been a very competitive award to apply for but I tried nevertheless, and few months later I got the notice that I was one of the recipients!

I have had so many highlights on my Cheung Kong experience that I honestly wouldn’t know where to start when talking about them. From day one this Award was already a lifetime experience. Research wise, I was shocked at how advanced Japanese pharmaceutical research and development was and the technology they possess. The first day at my host institution, I knew I was at a world-class facility in developing advanced pharmaceutical devices and products. Our results were able to show that our material and the device we developed was able to reduce the effects of osteoporosis and help generate better and stronger bones. I still keep in touch with other researchers in my area from my conference attendance and we are currently now discussing collaboration between our two institutions. In addition, with my host supervisor and host institution we have already submitted a joint collaborative research grant applications and we are hoping to get the opportunity to allow me to go back to my host institution to do further research there. So the relationships that I’ve fostered will continue for a very long time.

Japan is a beautiful country and the people are lovely and very helpful. This everyone is aware of. I made friends with the students in the lab - we still keep in contact and go out when I visit Japan. The students and my mentor at my host institution looked after me just like a family member. They showed me and opened my eyes to a variety of Japanese culture from trying out various Japanese food (lots of ramen and sushi during my time there), to shopping at Shinjuku and relaxing at various hot springs (onsen). I also enjoyed very much talking to the students to help them practice with their English and I’ve always enjoyed teaching and helping others so we had daily conversation practices and in turn they taught me Japanese as well. During this time I was able to learn enough Japanese to live and survive on my own.

Since I’ve been back to Australia, I have been vested in continuing my research following what I’ve done in Japan and also submitted collaborative research grant applications. I am currently continuing my Chancellor’s postdoctoral fellowship and hope to receive future grants or fellowship to allow me to go back to Japan and develop this technology into a viable product that can help osteoporotic patients.

The technology and knowledge I’ve learnt from my host institute were very valuable and I was able to bring them back to Australia and teach other fellow students and researchers what I’ve learned from there. So right now, in terms of my research, the animal studies I conducted while I was in Japan showed positive and encouraging results and what we are doing now is optimizing the material and the device we have developed while I was there to deliver a more therapeutic effect to osteoporotic patients.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Endeavour Australia Cheung Kong Research Fellowships for this once in a lifetime and life-changing experience that has opened so many doors and experience for myself and the two institutions.

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